Making Sense of the Dollars and Cents:
Understanding Illinois' budget, the impacts on our work, and opportunities for change

Are you confused by all the talk about budget cuts and efforts to change the revenue generating structure in Illinois?  Not sure how all this impacts your community school programs? 

On April 17^th we’ll be convening a conversation for community school practitioners and stakeholders focused on making sense of Illinois’ fiscal situation, how we got to this point,   and how we can work together to make things different in the future.  The Symposium will feature state experts and policymakers who will breakdown the issues in an easy to understand way and guided conversation about what we can do collectively to work with legislators, policymakers, and our own stakeholders to make positive changes. Participants will also learn about our upcoming Advocacy Day in Springfield on April 30th where we will join forces with the United Way and others to raise awareness about community schools.  This Symposium is intended for those are already engaged in advocacy efforts around the state’s budget as well as those who are new to advocacy but want to understand how to stand up for the valuable programs we offer students and families in our communities. 

Speakers will include:

• Judith Gethner, Executive Director, Illinois Partners for Human Service
• Teresa Ramos, Outreach Director, Advance Illinois
• Lisa Christensen Gee, Policy Analyst, Fiscal Policy Center at Voices for Illinois Children

Space is limited.  Registration will close on Monday, April 14 or once we meet capacity.